Machine for operating upon shoes.



N. H. KNOWLTON.

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. 1917.

1 85,740. Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NORWOOD H. KNOWLTON, OF ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS, A SSIGNOR, BYJEESNEASSIGNMENTS, T UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEWJERSEY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY. l U

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SHOES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

Application filed April 9, 1917. Serial No. 160,709. H

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Nonwoon H. Known- TON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, reslding at Rockport, in the county of Essex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Operating upon Shoes, of which the following description, in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characterson the drawings indieatlng like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machmes for opcrating upon shoes in the courseof shoe which operates upon the shoe. Where the tool, as usual inmachines of such types, is mounted for reciprocatory movement, it hasbeen proposed to mount the heating member in bearings adjacent to thetool and to hold it yieldingly in position to heat the tool. Adifiiculty encountered, however, in the use of such constructions arisesfrom the fact that thefine wires in the heating units are frequentlybroken, particularly adjacent to the terminals, such breakage resultingfrom vibration of the heating unit during the op- .eration of themachine. An opportunity for such vibration is afforded by the slightplay which is practically inevitable in the bearings by which theheating units, or their holders, are supported in operative position.

For the purpose, among others, of avoiding the above mentioneddiflieulty, an important feature of this invention consists in novelmeans of support for a heating member so constructed as to eliminatebearings and the consequent danger of excessive vibration. Theinvention, in the illustrated embodiment, provides ,a support fortheheating member which is rigid against movement in those directions inwhich there is a tendency for vibration of the member, and re-Silient-c'. e., elastic in its structure-in transverse relation to thepath of movement of the tool to insure efi'ective cooperation of theheating member with the tool. In the construction shown the heatingmember is secured to a resilient metal plate which is mountedinsubstantially arallel relation to the path of movement of the tool tocause the plate to press the member against a lateral surface of thetool. A very important advantage of such, a construction andarrangement, aside from the elimination of bearmgs, arises from the factthat, while the support is ylelding in directions transverse.

to the path of movement of the tool, it is otherwise absolutely rigidand consequently obviates any vibrations in the heating member indirections substantially or approximately parallel to its path ofmovement. Since there is comparatively little tendency, in any case, forthe tool to set up vibrations in directions transverse to its path ofmovement, the adfvantage of this construction in machines whereelectrical heating units are used will be readily understood. It willalso be evident that the construction presents advan tages, arisingparticularly from its simplicity and durability, irrespective of theparticular character of the heating means employed.

tendency for the tool to set up A further feature of the invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement comprising a tool withheating means therefor and means for varying the eflect of the heatingmeans upon the tool. As applied to a construction having means forvarying the extent of the movement of a reciprocatory tool, theinvention in its illustrative embodiment provides means forcorrespondinglychanging the relation of the heating member'to the tool,as by throwing the member out of engagement with the tool. As viewed inthis aspect, the invention has for an object to economize heat, avoidundue Wear of the parts, and where an electrical heating unit is used toinsure further against 7 excessive vibration. The construction shownhaving portions provided for beatin respectively the uppers and thesolesof s oes, together with electrical heating means for engaging the upiperbeating portion of the tool and means the movement of the totfl forbeating the sole, and as applied to such a construct on the inventionprovides means for throwing the heating member out of engagement w ththe tool when the tool is to operate with the longer stroke. Inconstructionswhere the eiztent of the movement of a tool is thusincreased without the necessity for heating the tool when operating withthe longer stroke, the advantage of' disengaging the heating member fromthe tool Will be appar ent, particularly as tending to avoid loss ofheat and undue wear of the arts through friction, and also, where an eectrical heating unit is used, as eliminating danger. of

excessive vibration of the unit in conseuence of any tendency whichthere may be for the tool to play laterally by reason of its increasedmovement and the more severe work which it is required to perform withthe longer stroke.

lhe above and other features of the invention will now be moreparticularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims. The invention is herein shown as embodied ina machine having shoe beating means such as shown and described in priorUnited States Letters Patent No. 1,175,215, granted on March 14, 1916,upon an application of Orrell Ashton, but it will be evident from thefollowing description that the invention in its broader aspects is notthus limited in its applicability.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the machine shownin said patent,

vention is embodied;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig.1, asviewed from the opposite side; and

Fig. 3 shows in perspective a portion of the structure as viewed fromthe same side as Fig.1, with parts in section to illustrate the interiorconstruction.

The illustrative construction comprises a shoe beating or blockin toolpivoted at 2 on the frame of the mac ine and having an 1 outer portion 4shaped for blocking the lateral surface of an inverted shoe in andadjacent to the crease between the upper and the sole and anintermediate portion 6 constructed to beat and shape the sole of a shoein the shank. The tool is normally held in its foremost position bymeans of a spring plunger 8 in engagement with its rear face, in whichposition a rearwardly extending or increasing the extent of assavao arm10 of the tool engages a spring bufier 12. The tool is thus normallystationary, and in operation is moved by the pressure of a shoe againsteither of the portions 4 or 6 into osition to cause the arm 10 to beengage by a cam 14 on a rapidly rotating shaft 16, whereby the toolreceives rapid impulses in the direction of the shoe for beating andshaping the shoe. When the outer member 4 is in use to block the side ofthe shoe it is desirable that the tool receive oscillations of muchsmaller amplitude than when the portion 6 is in. use for the heavierwork of shaping the sole. Accordingly the machine is provided with apivoted stop 18 having a shoulder 20 for engaging the rear face of thetool to limit its rearward movement when blocking the upper of the shoe.When it is desired to use the portion 6 for beating the shank, the stop18 is turned into the posltion in which it is shown in Fig. 1, thusremoving the shoulder 20 from its limiting position and permitting thetool to be moved farther backwardly and thus to receive wideroscillations by the action of thecam 14. The stop 18 is held yieldingly1n either of its positions of adjustment by means of a spring helddetent 22 which is arranged to engage in one or the other of a pair ofnotches in the stop member corresponding respectively to the difierentpositions of the stop.

In carryin out the objects of this invention the mac ine is providedwith a plate to the upper end of the plate 24 is a block- 26 supportingat its upper end a bracket 28 to which is secured a heating member 30.The member 30 comprises a rectangular metal block in which is mounted anelectrical heating unit 32 which receives its current throughelectrical'conductors 34 supported in a block 36 of insulating materialmounted on the member 26, the conductors 34 extending to a source ofsupply through a conduit 38. In order to conserve the heat of the member30, this member is separated from its support 28 by means of a layer 40of asbestos or similar material which serves as a relatively poorconductor of heat.

The heating member 30, on the side toward the'blocking tool, is formedwith a smooth face parallel to the plane of'oscillationof the tool, andthis face is arranged to be engaged by a plane contact face on a wing 42of the portion 4 of the tool which extends rearwardly from the tool andis preferably integral with the portion 4 as shown. When the portion 4of the tool is in use for ,be'ating'the upper of the shoe it ispreferable that this portion be heated constantly at a uniformtemperature .in order to insure a more effective action upon theleather. The spring plate 24 is therefore arranged to press the heatingmember constantly against the rearwardly extending wing 42 to cause heatto be imparted to the tool continuously by conduction during theoperation of the tool as well as at the time when the tool is at rest.

The portion 6 of the tool does not require to be heated for beating andshapin the shank of the sole, and it has been foun that if the heatingmember 30 remains in contact with the wing 42 during the wideroscillations of the tool when the portion 6 is in use, excessivevibrations in the member 30 and its resilient support may be set upthrough tendency for the tool to play laterally during the more severework of beat ing the sole, thereby tending to destroy the electricalheating unit. In order to eliminate danger of destroying the heatingunit, as Well as to avoid unnecessary wear upon the contacting faces ofthe members 30 and 42 and also unnecessary loss of heat, the machine isrovided with means forthrowing the memfier 30 out of contact with thewing 42 when the wider oscillations are to be imparted to the tool. Tothis end a cam 44 is secured to the side of the spring plate 24 adjacentto the stop 18 and in position to be engaged by the stop when the latteris turned into position to remove the shoulder 20 from behind the tool,thus causing the stop to force the heating member 30 out of contact withthe wing 42 by bending the plate 24. When the stop is turned intoposition to cause the shoulder 20 to limit the movement of the tool, thestop is removed from the cam member 44 and thus permits the heatingmember to be pressed against the wing 42 by the action of the springplate.

The operation of the mechanism wherein this invention is embodied, asapplied to shoe beating means of the illustrative type, will be readilyunderstood from the preceding description. It will be evident that thestop 18, in cooperation with the cam '44,

provides means which may be readily manipulated to control the relationof the heating means to the tool without loss of the operators time,such relation being changed automatically b the means employed forvarying the limit of movement of the tool. It will be apparent, moreoverthat the stop 18 may also be used at any time, if desired, to hold theheating member out of contact with the tool when the machine is at rest,in order to conserve the heat. I

While the invention is herein shown in its application to a machine forperforming shoe beating operations, it will be readily electricalheating unit, and a understood that the invention in many of its aspectsis not restricted in utility by the character of the operation which theheated tool may be adapted to perform.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon ashoe, means for imparting operative movement to said tool, a heatingdevice, and a resilient supporting member upon which said device ismounted, said supporting member being constructed and arranged tomaintain said device in yielding engagement'with the tool whilerestraining the device from movement with the tool.

2. In a machine of, the class described, a reciprocatory tool, means foroperating said tool, a heating device, and a resilient supporting memberto which said device is secured, said supporting member being rigidagainst movement in parallel relation to the path'of movementof the tooland arranged to maintain said device in yielding engagement with thetool.

3. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocatory tool, means foroperating said tool, a heating member, and a resilient plate upon whichsaid member is mounted, said plate being arranged in such relation tothe path of movement of the tool as to maintain said member in yieldingengagement with a lateral surface of the t 01 While holding the memberagainst movement with the-tool.

4. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocatory tool, means foroperating said toolfheating means for the tool including an support formaintaining said heating means in frictional engagement with the tool,the heating means being rigidly secured to said support and the supportbeing rigid against movement in directions substantially parallel to thepath of movement of the tool and resilient in transverse relation tosaid path of movement. v v 5. In a machine of the class described, areciprocatory tool, means for operating said tool, heating meansincluding an electrical heating unit, and means for supporting saidheating means in engagement with a lateral surface of the tool whilerestraining it from movement with the tool, said supporting meanscomprising a resilient plate to which the heating means is secured.

6. In a machine of the class-described, a reciprocatory tool, means foroperating said tool, heating means including an electrical heating unit,and means for supporting said heating means in yielding engagement withthe tool comprisinga resilient plate to which the heating means 15secured, said plate being mounted in substantially parallel rela tion tothe path of movement ofthe tool to cause it to hold the heating meansrigidly against vibration in directlons arallel to the path of movementof the too 7. In a machine of the class described, a shoe beating tool,means for reciprocating said tool, the tool having a rearward extensionpresenting a lateral surface in substantially parallel relation to thepath of movement of the tool, a heating device, and a resilientsupporting member to which said device is secured, said member beingarranged to maintain the heating. device in yielding engagement withsaid lateral surface while restraining it from movement with the tool.

8. In a machine of the class described a tool for operating upon a shoe,means or reciprocating said tool, means for heating the tool, means forvarying the limit of movement of the tool, and means for simultaneouslyvarying the relation of the heating means to the tool.

9. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon ashoe, means for reciprocating said tool, means for varying the extent ofthe movement of the tool, av

heating member, means for holding said member normally in position toheat the tool, and means for moving said member out of heating positionwhen the extent of the movement of the tool is to be increased. I

'10. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocatory tool, meansfor varying the extent of the movement of the 'tool, a heating memberpositioned adjacent to the path of movement of the tool for engagementwith the tool, an electrical heating unit carried by said member, andmeans for moving said member out of engagement with the tool when theextent of the movement of the tool is to be increased.

11. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon ashoe, means for reciprocating said tool, controlling means for varyingthe limit of movement of the tool, means for heating the tool, and meansoperated by said controlling means for varying the relation of theheating means to the tool.

12. In a machine of the class described, a

'tool for operating upon a shoe, means for reciprocating said tool,controlling means for varying the extent of the movement of the tool, aheating member, means for normally maintaining said heating member infrictional engagement with the tool, and means for causing saidcontrolling means to force the heating member out of engagement with thetool when the extent of the movement of the tool is to be increased.

13. In a machine of the class described, a

aeareo reciprocatory tool, nieans for operating said tool, heating meanscomprising an electrical heating unit, said heating means being arrangedfor frictional engagement with the tool, and means'for adjusting saidheating means to cause it to be positioned out of engagement with thetool.

In a machine of the class described, a reciprocatory tool, means foroperating said tool, heating means for the tool including an electricalheating unit, a resilient support for said heating means arranged toposition said means for engagement with the tool while restraining itfrom movement with the tool, means for varying the extent of movement ofthe tool, and means for bending 'said support to position the heatingmeans out of engagement with the tool when the extent of movement of thetool is to be increased.

15. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon ashoe, means for reciprocating said tool, a heating member, a resi lientsupport for holding said member yieldingly in engagement with the tool,and cam means for operating upon said support to force the heatingmember out of position to engage the tool.

16. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon ashoe, means for operatmg said tool, a heating. member, a resilient plateupon which said member is m unted, said plate being arranged to maintalnthe heating member yieldingly in engagement with the tool, and means forbendmg said plate to force the member out of position to engage thetool.

17 In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon ashoe, 'meansfor reciprocating said tool, a heating member,

the tool, and means operated by said move.

ment of the stop for moving the" heating member out of position toheatthe tool.

18. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon "ashoe, means for rec procating said tool, a heating member, a resilientsupport for said member arranged to maintain the member normally inengagement with the tool, a stop for limiting the extent of the movementof the tool, said stop being movable into position to permit anincreased movement of the tool, and means for causing thestop to bendsaid resilient support to force the heating member out of engagementwith thetool. I

19. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating upon ashoe, means for reciprocating said tool, a heating member, a

resilient plate for supporting said member in engagement with the tool,a cam on said plate, and a pivoted controlling member arranged to engagesaid cam to force the heating member out of engagement With the tool.

20. In a machine of the class described, a shoe beating tool havingdifierent portions for beating respectively the uppers and the soles ofshoes, means for reciprocating said tool, heating means arranged toengage the upper beating portion of the tool, and means for positioningthe heating means out of engagement with the tool when the tool is to beused for sole beating.

21. In a machine of the class described, a shoe beating tool havingdifferent portions for beating respectively the uppers and the soles ofshoes, means for reciprocating said tool, electrical heating meansarranged to engage the upper beating portion of the.

' tool, a controlling member movable into position to permit a longerstroke of the tool for sole beating, and means for causing saidcontrolling member to position the heating means out of engagement withthe tool.

22. In a machine of the class described, a

shoe beating tool having different portions for beating respectively theuppers andt-he soles of shoes, means for reciprocating said tool,electrical heating means, a resilient plate to which said heating meansis secured, said plate being arranged in substantially parallel relationto the path of movement of the tool to press the heating means laterallyagainst the upper beating portion of the tool, a stop for the toolmovable into position to permit a longer stroke of the tool for solebeating, and means for forcing the heating means out of contact with thetool.

by said movement of the stop.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a movabletool and means for imparting operative movement to said tool, of adevice for heating the tool, and a support for said heating devicecomprising a resilient plate to which the device is secured, said platebeing mounted in such relation to the tool as to press the heatingdevice yieldingly toward a lateral surface of the tool while holding itrigidly against movement with the tool.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination with areciprocatory tool and means for operating said tool, of a device forimparting heat to the tool through surface contact, and a support forsaid heating device comprising a resilient plate to which the device issecured, said plate being arranged to press the heating deviceyieldingly against the tool and extending widthwise in substantiallyparallel relation to the directions of movement of the tool.

In a machine of the class described, the combination with areciprocatory tool and means for operating said tool, of a devicecomprising an electrical heating unit for imparting heat to the toolthrough surface contact, and a support for said heating devicecomprising a resilient plate 0 which said heating unit is rigidlysecured, said plate being mounted in such relation to the tool as tohold the heating device rigidly against vibration with the tool whilemaintaining it yieldingly in contact with the tool.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a toolmounted for oscillatory movement and means for operating said tool, of aresilient plate mounted adjacent to the tool and rigidly supported atone end, a heating block secured to the other end of said plate, saidblock and the plate be- -ing arranged in such relation to the tool as tocause the block to be held yieldingly against a lateral surface of thetool by the tension of the plate, and an electrical heating unit mountedin said block.

27 In a machine of the class described, the combination with-areciprocatory tool, means for operating said tool, and means for varyingthe extent of the operative movement of the tool, of a device forimparting heat to the tool, said device being movable either into or outof position to heat the tool.

28. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with areciprocatory tool and means for operating said tool, of controllingmeans for varying the extent of the movement of the tool, means forheating the tool, and means arranged to be operated b said controllingmeans for rendering the heating means either eflective or ineffective toheat the tool.

29. In a machine of the class described, a shoe beating tool havingdifferent portions for beating respectively diflerent parts of shoes,means for reciprocating said tool, means for heating one of saidportions of the tool, controlling means for varying the extent of themovement of the tool, and means arranged to be operated by saidcontrolling means for rendering the heating means ineffective to heatthe tool when the unheated portion of the tool is to be used.

30. In a machine of the class described, a shoe beating tool havingdifferent portions for beating respectively the uppers and the soles ofshoes, means for reciprocating said tool, means for heating the upperbeating portion of the tool, controlling means for increasing the extentof the movement of the tool for sole beating, and means arranged to beoperated by said controlling means for rendering the heating meansineffective to heat the tool when the tool is to be used for solebeating.

31. In a machine of the class described, a shoe heating tool constructedto heat either the uppers or the soles of shoes, means for reciprocatingsaid. tool, means for imparting heat to the tool through surfacecontact, controlling means for varying the extent of the movement of thetool, and means arranged to be operated by said controlling means forinterrupting the contact between said, heat- .10 ing means and the tool.

eeann 32. In a machine o1 the oiassdesoribech the combination with areciprocatory tool and means for operating said tool of means forheating the tool, anoi means for simultaneousiy varying the extent ofthe movement of the tool and the efiect of the heating means upon thetool.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

NQRWQOD H. KNOJVLTON.

